iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- E-cigarettes still pose more questions than answers for health officials. The American Association for Cancer Research is discussing the new tobacco-less smoking devices in Maryland at its international meeting, and a panel of experts agree more research is needed to determine any associated risks.

A major question related to electronic cigarettes is how they will be regulated. Panel participant Dr. Scott Leischow of the Mayo Clinic says everyone's waiting for the Food and Drug Administration to possibly begin regulating the product in some way.

"Pretty sure they're going to do something. They've indicated they're going to do something. We just don't know when and we don't know what it's going to say," Leischow said.

Despite the questions surrounding these smoking devices, Leichow believes they are the safer smoking option.

"There's no question that what gets delivered from an E-cigarette is dramatically less harmful than a tobacco cigarette," he said.

"This is a game-changing phenomenon. I don't think it's a trend. It's a game-changing phenomenon."